Best Buy has been in Seattle since 2015, and the retailer made a big commitment to the area today, announcing a new fund to help nonprofits that work with young people on technology training and career development.
The Best Buy Foundation Seattle Fund will award grants to nonprofits of up to $15,000, and is looking for applicants. Best Buy seeks proposals from groups that focus on career training and encourage underserved teens to learn and experiment with the latest technologies, such as robotics, 3-D printing, digital photography, filmmaking and videography, graphic design, audio production, game development, programming and app development.
Grant applications are reviewed on a bi-annual basis and the next deadline is Sept. 1. Best Buy has an eligibility quiz to see if organizations fit the guidelines.
Best Buy says its foundation has donated more than $348 million to nonprofits since 1999.
Best Buy established an engineering center in Seattle three years ago, and the company says the group has helped transform its online operation as digital revenue has grown from $2.5 billion five years ago to $6 billion in the most recent fiscal year. The Seattle office is now up to approximately 125 people, the company said.
